Is a Rolex really for life?

[schoolboy]

As Mystro said above, it is not guaranteed that Rolex will have the parts available to service your watch, maybe 30 years after you bought it.

Which kinda sucks.

I feel like Rolex kinda got us with the marketing on this one.

On the other hand, Patek says that they will always service any watch that they ever made.

But then those are more expensive and it seems like they require servicing more often than Rolex does.

In my opinion, will my 2018 Datejust be running 30 years from now?

I’m pretty sure.

Will it be running 70 years from now?

Idk. And that kinda sucks and kinda scared me.

Because I bought the watch, as a watch, as a daily partner, but also as a heirloom!

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by Boba Fett

They make a great product which does not have built in obsolescence,. For as long as Rolex supports maintaining our movements they are fine. For when they don't we may have to settle for 3d printed replacement parts. That is not outside the realms of possiblity.
That is how our watches will live for many generations.

I hope you’re right


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[1665fan]

Lifetimes........

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

My fathers’ 2 Rolex watches outlived him, I have them now and they will outlive me.

Pics?

[schoolboy]

Also, Rolex was founded in 1914 I think?

When was the last time you saw a Rolex watch here on the forum or elsewhere from 1914?

What about 1920? 1930? 1940?

I myself haven’t.

Which again to me kinda hints that maybe they don’t last as long as people say they do.

But I sure hope I’m wrong!

[Wck88]

If well used and well serviced, it will watch a lifetime.

[VegasMilgauss]

Some great examples posted here, a watch is an amazing heirloom to pass on.

[khalifam]

https://www.rolex.com/world-of-rolex...-to-rolex.html

I've posted this before - letters to Rolex to attest how durable their watches are... A must read.

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[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by Mystro

There is two completely different timelines with how easy a Rolex model will be to service. The older models could have been serviced by any watchmaker and they would have parts in stock. Those days are long gone. Forget the “Legacy Rolex” idea for any modern Rolex unless Rolex makes some big changes in parts availability outside the Rolex network.

Rolex has made a few moves the last decade that has put them in a position where lasting a lifetime is not as easy as they once were. By limiting all parts to watchmakers make it very difficult to service out side the Rolex company. That is a major problem and game changer from the way it use to be.

Rolex also complicated it even more by not promising to produce parts even for the Rolex network after movements have been discontinued. Rolex was very upfront on this matter that they will NOT make replacement parts indefinitely for discontinued models. There is a lot of articles on this. I would even go out on a limb and say any quality watch with a ETA sourced movement would be significantly easier to maintain 50 years from now.

Great points. It’s true, I worry that my dad’s Rolex will not be serviced by the RSC in the future because of lack of parts and experienced watchmakers they have been replaced by assembly line technicians.

I hate to say it but ETA or rather the Watch group has taken a similar stance and are limiting the availability of parts for ETA movements. I believe Selita are the only freely available Swiss movements now.

[Ntoz]

They are built for it. If serviced well, it will pass a lifetime.

[georgekart]

I think it is a combination of Rolex building reliable watches with reliable movements, that due to their popularity can be serviced and repaired by basically anybody. So yes, I think a Rolex can last someone a lifetime. Whether you'll want to own one watch for your whole life is another question.

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by khalifam

https://www.rolex.com/world-of-rolex...-to-rolex.html

I've posted this before - letters to Rolex to attest how durable their watches are... A must read.

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Thanks for sharing that, I hadn’t seen that before.

I think the watches are very reliable, and can be fixed almost from any condition.

The thing is that this may only be possible for a certain time frame.

After that, we may very well be on our own.

[Dr. Robert]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Pics?

Here you go

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[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

Here you go

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Very nice!

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by khalifam

Hey all,

When I purchased my Sub in 2016 I bought with the intention of having the one watch forvever. That soon changed though... Over the past years I've seen so many posts about value, investment etc that it actually made me appreciate my watch more.

What I truly want to know from you old folks ;) is a Rolex really a life time watch? I've heard so much that these watches are not like other brands they are never disposed they will always tick away. Is that true? If so how?! If something ever goes wrong with the watch is it just as simple as giving it to a good watch maker to have it serviced/repaired and back on your wrist?

I remember watching a video from Paul Thorpe once saying that what differentiates a Rolex from other watch brands is that a Rolex will last generations... What's your view's?



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You might be confusing Rolex with Patek or FPJourne. Those are generational. Rolex is more fun. Have several of them. Daily wear. Travel. Beaters. amazing watches.


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[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Here’s my dad’s Rolex. He wore it for his life time. Now I’ll wear it for my lifetime. God willing my kid will too. So I guess you could say, it would last several lifetimes.

Gorgeous


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[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by 173rdabn

The Rolex will last forever if serviced from time to time. Owners, however, tend to have a "roving" eye (myself included). We can't help buying or trading when another (Rolex) catches our eye. A most contagious and incurable disease.

This is exactly the pbm.


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[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by GBD

Any decent mechanical watch will watch many lifetimes if properly serviced.

I had a friend who bought a Seiko 5 back in the late Sixties or early Seventies and he wore that watch to his dying day, which was not that long ago.

He said he just had it serviced locally periodically and it kept good time all those years.

[adawil2002]

Yes, watches have a much longer lifespan than people. I have my Great Grandfather's gold Tiffany minute repeater pocket watch from the 1890s, keeps amazing time.

[jackjack305]

Originally Posted by Megalobyte

Most good watches can last a very long time. Rolex is easier to service because the movements are less complex, and the 3135 movement has been in use a long time, so, lots of parts out there and lots of watchmakers who know how to service them. So because of robust but fairly simple, time tested movement designs and lots of parts, Rolex probably are a bit more likely to be a lifetime or multi generational watch.

Took the words right out of my mouth. Rolexes are simple but refined. I've had my Air-King for over a decade now. Little to no issues with it, and I expect that to continue.

[vintagewaferthin]

Mine definitely is. My AK isn't going anywhere. Its the only(with maybe one other in the same category) watch id never sell. Definitely the one id hand down. Keeps better time than most of the newer watches I own and has never let me down in terms of how tough it is, even being over 30 years old. Cant beat it.

[jlovda]

Is a Rolex really for life?

Mechanically the watch will last a lifetime. Regarding ownership, I will go out on a limb and say people (mainly men) who buy just ONE for a special event will more likely keep it for a lifetime than people who own many.

[Pim]

The watches can go for a lifetime but my attention span can't. I love selling a watch every x years and buying an other watch.

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by cj3209

Really enjoy the life stories of these watches. Keep them coming!

+1.

[slimboy1974]

Originally Posted by Setarip

Here are two examples (not mine) that have lasted many years and will likely continue on for many more.

The first one (early Daytona) has a great story. Back in mid 1960’s the man whom I met, his father was a maintenance supervisor...working class guy. Had been eyeing this watch at a local jeweler for some time. But couldn’t quite justify in his mind the expense (something like $250) His wife called and said she was going into labor. He got in his car and was driving to the hospital and was passing the jeweler on the way. He pulled in and bought the watch as a celebratory memento of the occasion. He later passed it on to his son before he passed. I met this guy on a flight one day and we had a great conversation about watches, life, etc.

The second watch (OP) was on the wrist of a gentleman I met at a dinner party one evening at the country club. I think he was in his mid 80’s. He graduated from H.S. sometime in the late 50’s. His parents gave him the watch for graduation. He wore it all his life. His only watch. I think he’d served in Vietnam, went law school afterwards and on to have a great career. Lovely gentleman. Great conversation. He said, “would you like to look at it?” when I inquired as to how he came to acquire it.

So, to your original question, yes I think Rolex can and will stand the test of time and be multi generational watches.

Brilliant love hearing stories like this could listen to them all day

[Oxfordian]

Originally Posted by khalifam

https://www.rolex.com/world-of-rolex...-to-rolex.html

I've posted this before - letters to Rolex to attest how durable their watches are... A must read.

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It makes a good read indeed.

[TswaneNguni]

Actually yes,even if it needs a service 50 years from now and Rolex do not have the part,they will manufacture it . Of course,wont be inexpensive !!

Personal opinion ,over 20 years collecting ,Rolex is pretty tough and fuss free .It is a helluva good quality product .

Had issues with Omega and Panerai .

Have great respect for Jaeger leCoultre as a brand too.Quality stuff !

[asiparks]

from a mechanical point of view, yes they will last a very long time with maintainance. As will many other watches.
In the good old days a person might save and buy one as a reward to themselves and wear it for decades until they dropped dead- then they get passed down with any other family valuables, whereas less prestige watches might just get bundled up and sent off to Goodwill.

[rmagoo57]

Yes! I'm 63. My dad gifted me his 16013 in 1989 and I wore it for almost 30 yrs. I will give it to one of my daughters one day. I recently bought myself a DJ41 and a Sub which will also go to my daughters one day. Since the gifting is now unbalanced, I will probably pick up one more watch at some point. I'm thinking a 16710 Coke for diversity!

I don't have grandkids yet but my hope is they will wear these watches after I'm gone.

[Boaters]

Originally Posted by adawil2002

Yes, watches have a much longer lifespan than people. I have my Great Grandfather's gold Tiffany minute repeater pocket watch from the 1890s, keeps amazing time.

What a beauty